Chapters There were many times when Wallflower wished she had the magical powers that her girlfriend was blessed with. It could only be useful to be able to have a look inside someone else’s mind. With that someone’s permission, of course. But seeing how Sunset was pacing back and forth in the room filled Wallflower with a sense of anxiousness that was only matched by Sunset’s own.
Wallflower hummed for a moment, thinking how best to approach Sunset while sitting up from the place she had been kneeling in the school’s garden. While the gardening club - with Sunset’s help of course - had expanded quite a lot since the memory stone incident, it was now summer break. Which meant while the gardening club was still free to meet, there were often less people willing to break from their own summer plans in order to visit the school and participate in helping with the garden. Today, for example, it was just her and Sunset. Not that Wallflower minded that at all. Spending time with Sunset in her favorite place in Everton was worth it.
But not while Sunset was like this.
“Is… something wrong, Sunset?” Wallflower hesitantly asked as she set down a water can on a stone bench in the gardens.
“Wrong?” Sunset froze mid-step before a smile appeared on her face as she turned to face Wallflower. “Nope! Not at all, why would anything be wrong?”
Wallflower wasn’t fooled a second, only quirking an eyebrow in response. “You’ve… been pacing ever since you got here. And you’ve barely said a word.” While Wallflower didn’t usually lead the conversations, she enjoyed listening to Sunset’s retelling of days events. Though mostly mundane things, hearing her girlfriend give her perspective on every day interactions always kept Wallflower’s interest.
“Well… I guess I do have something going on,” Sunset admitted, her smile dropping away as she turned her gaze away from Wallflower. “It’s just a little complicated, and it’s a big decision.”
“A big decision?” Wallflower asked, blinking, before she felt a pit in her stomach starting to grow. “Was it a college reaching out to you?” Wallflower asked , trying to sound positive still even while her heart seemed to clench slightly at her spoken words.
While Wallflower certainly wanted to support Sunset in any of her endeavors, college… was something that Wallflower really couldn’t follow Sunset in. While her girlfriend had enough smarts and the grades for her to easily get into a good college, Wallflower hadn’t ever had the same level of academic prowess. She was a B average student at best, and her grades had slipped through the last year or two especially. While she had been accepted at the Everton Community College, she still wasn’t sure exactly what she wanted to do with her life.
The obvious answer was biological sciences. But while she loved tending to plants, dedicating the next four years of her life to that sounded like a bit much. Not to mention the math and chemistry involved in it as well.
“No, it isn’t anything about college this time,” Sunset said, shaking her head. Wallflower found herself letting go of a deep breath she hadn’t realized she had taken, relief flooding through her slightly. “It’s a letter from Twilight.”
“Twilight?” Wallflower asked with a small frown on her face. “Isn’t she still in town?” While Wallflower hadn’t exactly grown close to Sunset’s other friends… she did know about them quite a bit from Sunset. She knew that Twilight was heading to her university a bit early in late July in order to get a head start on research. But that was still nearly a month away.
“No, it’s from the other Twilight,” Sunset said carefully, now meeting Wallflower’s gaze head on again.
“Oh,” Wallflower said, now straightening up as she looked at Sunset more carefully, and with a touch of curiosity. “What did the letter say?”
Equestria was still such a foreign concept to Wallflower - but the more she learned about the other world the more she was fascinated by it. To think her girlfriend was from such another world was still something Wallflower had yet to wrap her head around completely even while seeing proof. She had seen how Sunset had reacted when her memories had been taken - she had also seen how Sunset and her friends ‘ponied’ up. It was crazy to think the very human girl in front of her was actually originally a talking unicorn, and yet Wallflower knew she couldn’t dispute the proof that was given to her.
“It was an invitation to come back to Equestria for a special event,” Sunset said, coming to sit next to the can on the bench. “Twilight is going to be hosting this year’s Grand Galloping Gala.”
“The Grand Galloping Gala?” Ignoring the pun - Everton already had a weird love of horse puns in general - it sounded like a big event. A fancy one at that.
“It’s a yearly event held in Canterlot - as in the capital city there, not the school. Obviously. Sorry.” Sunset’s face seemed to turn red slightly at the explanation, but Wallflower just smiled slightly shaking her head slightly.
“It’s alright. Tell me more.”
“Well, you see the Grand Galloping Gala is a big deal,” Sunset said, continuing on. “When I was younger I used to attend every year with my mentor.”
“Was it fun to attend?” Wallflower asked, trying to imagine a little kid - no, a little unicorn version of her girlfriend attending an event like that.
“Not at all,” Wallflower was a bit surprised when Sunset snickered slightly in response. “It was mostly a get together for mostly the rich nobles to talk about being rich nobles, and pretend like the party wasn’t something to hold over other ponies’s heads. “I mostly just stuck by Princess Celestia’s side each time. Sure, I had to smile and say hi to ponies, but that was all I had to do. After the event each night, me and Celestia used to get ice cream together and laugh the night off. She didn’t like it any more than I did.” A fond smile had appeared on Sunset’s face as she talked on.
It was interesting for Wallflower to watch - and to try and imagine. When she thought of Sunset, she saw a smart student by daylight and an avid painter by night. Someone who loved to experiment with both the arts and the sciences. But to be someone that hung out with royalty - even pony royalty - was something outside of her scope of imagination.
“But this time will be different. Or so says Twilight,” Sunset said, now digging out something from her pockets. More specifically, the letter. “This will be her second time leading the gala, and she plans to help liven things up this time around.”
“Are you thinking of attending?” It was meant to be a casual question, but Wallflower couldn’t help but look closely at Sunset, waiting for the answer. Sunset had told Wallflower she had only been back in Equestria two times since she had run away from home. It would be a big deal for her to try and go back - and one that Wallflower wasn’t quite so sure of. The idea of Sunset going into another world in a way made Wallflower want to curl up next to her girlfriend and never let her go.
“Well, maybe. I’ve been invited as a special guest to the event this year. But… you have to.” Sunset said, now extending her arm out and holding out the letter.
“What?” Wallflower said, her eyes widening as she felt herself freeze up slightly. “I’ve been invited?” With a slow movement, she took the letter out of Sunset’s hand and opened it up, to see two golden tickets inside, with a note. ‘For Sunset and Wallflower.’ “But… I’ve never even met her.”
“I may or may not have talked about you. A lot,” Sunset said, her face turning once again red from blushing. “Twilight must have known that I’d want to invite you along if I went.”
“I…” Wallflower sat down next to Sunset now, finally letting herself find some comfort in being next to her girlfriend. Her head felt a little light, and her thoughts were beginning to race. “I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to agree to anything,” Sunset said, firmly, as she leaned into Wallflower, which the latter was grateful for. “Anything you don’t want to do, we don’t have to.” Wallflower hung onto the words, giving a small nod, as she reached a hand to curl around Sunset’s tightly.
Why was she being so overwhelmed by this? She was supposed to be getting better… ever since Sunset came into her life, Wallflower had slowly been coming out of her shell and blooming despite wanting to wilt only a few months earlier. And she would be going with Sunset to a dance. It wouldn’t be much different than prom, and she had somehow survived that.
But this was different. This was going to be Sunset’s home, and this was a gala. And she’d be a pony. And she’d meet a lot of new ponies… and so much more. It was almost too much to think of right now.
“But…” Wallflower turned to Sunset as she spoke again, looking up at her girlfriend slightly. “If you do wanna go, I think it’d be really good. There’s something I want you to see there.”
“And what’s that?” Wallflower asked, trying to push down her anxiety and focus on Sunset for a moment. “Is it Princess Celestia?” she guessed. It would be weird to meet a princess, but it’d be worth it to meet someone so close to Sunset.
“I mean - I’d like for you to meet her also - but I’d mostly like you to see the Canterlot Castle gardens.”
“The gardens?” Wallflower said, blinking her eyes before looking to the left, at the bed of tulips that sat nearby. It was weird enough to think of Canterlot not as a school - but a capitol city with a castle. To know they also had gardens made sense, but…
“Yeah… the only night of the year where all the flora happens to be in bloom actually happens to be during the Grand Galloping Gala.” Sunset said with a grin. “It’s actually quite beautiful and probably the least crowded part of the gala. I think you would love it.”
“That actually sounds pretty nice,” Wallflower said, and was surprised that she actually meant those words. While the worries about meeting so many new people, and being in a brand new place were still eating at her… she knew she could get through it with Sunset. Especially with a place like that. “I think I want to go.”
“Really?” The excitement on Sunset’s face made Wallflower sure of her decision, as she gave a small nod in response.
“I’m sure," Wallflower said firmly.
Sunset wasn’t so sure if Wallflower was sure. Her girlfriend was practically shaking as she stood in front of the statue at Canterlot High School, as she stared at the statue as if expecting it to come to life.
“Is it safe to go through?” Wallflower asked Sunset, a bit of the shakiness making its way into her voice, but surprisingly not as much as Sunset had expected it to.
“Definitely. The biggest side-effect is that it is a bit dizzying going through. I’ve been through it before several times, and ponies from the other side have come out of this side fine too.” Sunset gave a reassuring smile. “I can go in first and then come back out if it helps?”
For a few moments, Wallflower seemed to consider it before shaking her head. “No. I’ll be fine… can we hold hands going through though?”
“Of course,” Sunset said warmly, reaching out and grasping Wallflower’s hand.
Wallflower took a deep breath before nodding. “I’m ready.”
Sunset couldn’t help but grin at Wallflower, before taking a step forward and into the portal, grasping onto her girlfriend’s hand for as she long as she could. The familiar, almost sickening, sensation of the portal was expected, but it still made her head swirl as she came through, one foreleg flailing forward - and the other wrapped around a light green foreleg.
But she didn’t have a chance to turn towards Wallflower before tumbling down, being dragged down by her girlfriend’s weight as she fell onto the ground, letting out a small yelp as her horn banged onto the ground. Groaning, Sunset closed her eyes trying to ignore the ringing pain now going through her skull.
“Oh my stars! Are you two alright?” Sunset winced slightly, hearing a voice - but not the one that she actually thought she’d be hearing upon coming into the portal. “Rarity?” Opening one turquoise eye, she found herself looking up at another unicorn mare - one with white fur and deep purple mane, confirming that she had indeed heard right.
“Indeed, that is my name,” Rarity said with a small reserved smile, as she raised a hoof towards Sunset. “And I suppose you are one Sunset Shimmer? Twilight told me all about you.”
“She did, huh?” Probably both good and bad, though Sunset secretly hoped for mostly good. Taking Rarity’s hoof, Sunset slowly wobbled to all four hooves a bit unsteadily. After getting her bearings - and ignoring the slight headache that was already waning - Sunset turned to look at the mare on the ground beside her.
Immediately, it felt like Sunset’s senses had once again left her. But this time, it was not because of a painful tumble, but instead because of the sight she was beholding. A light green mare with a dark green mane - that was Wallflower. Wallflower, who was not only cute by human standards - but by pony standards, even more. She was beautiful, even tumbled on the ground and looking quite disoriented.
“And, by guessing by your expression, this must be Wallflower Blush.” Sunset’s staring was interrupted by Rarity’s comment and knowing smile, causing Sunset to feel her face warm up slightly - thankful that at least in the pony world, it was hidden by fur more easily.
“Are you okay, Wally?” Sunset said, ignoring Rarity for a moment to focus on Wallflower, sitting down to get closer to the ground next to her. The first step before walking would have to be sitting for sure. Carefully moving her hooves in order to not potentially injure her girlfriend the first few minutes into this new world, she helped Wallflower to get into a sitting position.
“I think so?” Wallflower didn’t seem to be panicking - a good thing, thus far, but something that Sunset was still looking out for. She knew her girlfriend could get anxious at times, and Sunset would be here to comfort her if she needed it.
Wallflower slowly raised one front hoof than another - before looking over at Rarity, giving her a very strange look before looking at Sunset. The amazement on her face was clear, before she blinked and raised a hoof up to her forehead. “Am I a unicorn… or… oh!” For a moment, she suddenly lowered her hooves, almost flailing them. “I’m naked! You’re naked- This is so weird.” She said, shivering slightly despite Sunset knowing that her fur must be keeping her warm.
Opening her mouth, Sunset turned towards Rarity who quick raised a hoof to hush her. “I got it, my dears. Twilight brought me here specifically because she warned me about this,” Her horn lit up in a blue aura, before two blankets were levitated over to them both - one wrapping around Wallflower and one wrapping around Sunset, who gave a grateful smile at Rarity in response.
“I was wondering why Twilight had you over here instead of greeting us first.” Sunset said shaking her head.
“Well, naturally! As Twilight’s best friend, and the designer of both her ensemble and your own, I had to do my part. Especially for those who appreciate clothes much more than ponies do normally.” Rarity said, with a soft smile, before looking at Wallflower. “Now, dear, is it alright if I take some measurements?”
“Measurements…?” Wallflower said uncertainty. After having been given the blanket, she nearly clung to it as if it was a lifeline with her hooves.
“For your dresses. I had to make some generalized guesses to get started, but I still need to do the finishing touches on your dresses. It will only take but a second and then I’ll leave you alone to adjust.” Rarity said, a reassuring smile on her face. Wallflower hesitated for another moment before confirming with a nod. Immediately, measuring tape levitated forward, measuring front and back limbs, and waist carefully, before doing the same with Sunset.
“Thanks Rarity. Um, I could pay you back later… don’t have any bits on me clearly right now, but I’m sure I can get some out of my Canterlot account at some later time.” Assuming her bank accounts even still existed. Sunset could only hope that was the case.
“Nonsense!” Rarity said waving a hoof slightly. “No fee required, and I won’t hear another word of it! And neither will Twilight I’ve heard,” she continued. “She’ll be giving you and Wallflower a bag of bits each to make the night worthwhile.”
“Oh, she doesn’t have to do that…” Sunset frowned slightly.
“Darling, I’ll love to see you try and talk her out of it. She’s learned from the best.” Rarity said, fluttering her eyelashes for a second before leaving the room. “I’ll leave you to it for now! Twilight will be by shortly.”
With that out of the way, it just left Wallflower and her alone. “So, besides waking up naked, how are you doing?” Sunset said, now turning towards Wallflower with a small grin.
“Not funny. This is very weird,” Wallflower said with a huff, hugging the blanket even closer. Though she did shift over closer to Sunset as she did.
“I can imagine. It was weird when I was a human for the first time. As you can imagine.” The awkwardness of having to relive that moment in front of her friends and girlfriend would forever be burned into Sunset’s memory. “I didn’t even know what humans were when I went through… at least ponies are somewhat similar to horses. Except for being multi-colored and for the whole magic and flying thing.”
“Right,” Wallflower said with a sigh before smiling. “Plus, I have you here. Which I imagine makes all the difference.” Sunset couldn’t help but feel a bit touched by those words, grinning slightly while leaning towards her girlfriend. Or, in this particular case, marefriend. “So… I’m not a unicorn or a pegasus. What am I?”
“Oh, right.” Sunset said, now looking over what she could see of Wallflower that wasn’t covered by the blue blanket. “You’re an earth pony.”
“Meaning…?”
“You have a kind of different magic. More connected with the earth and stuff. Which, considering your affinity for plants, makes sense,” Sunset said, rubbing a hoof beneath her chin for a moment before letting out a small gasp. “Oh! Oh, what’s your cutiemark?”
“My what?” Wallflower blinked.
“It’s a mark on your thigh - like mine-” Sunset uncovered herself just slightly, causing Wallflower to gasp slightly and look away - and presumably blush underneath her green fur.
“Sunset!” Wallflower squeaked out slightly in protest, trying to avert her eyes at the crystal walls or bookshelves - mainly anything else from Sunset at the moment.
“Oh come on, you can’t see anything. Plus you’re going to have to get used to being able to see these. Even though we’re going to be dressed, most of Equestria doesn’t wear clothes - not to mention, even the outfits we do wear don’t conceal our marks most of the time.” Sunset said reassuringly. “Plus, the least embarrassing thing would probably be looking upon me rather than anyone else.”
“Sunset…” Wallflower said again, a bit of a whine in her voice, and Sunset let out a small chuckle at that.
“Sorry. But you know it’s true.”
Wallflower let out a small huff, before turning towards Sunset. “Fine.” With a quick look, Wallflower glanced at Sunset’s flank out of the corner of her eyes, before seemingly getting more used to the sight and looking at it head on. “It’s like that symbol you tend to use on your clothes…”
“Yeah, it is. It’s meant to represent my affinity for both fire and specifically sun-based magic,” Sunset explained.
“You can use that kind of magic here…?” Wallflower said, and Sunset couldn’t miss the bit of awe in her voice - alongside something else that Sunset couldn’t pinpoint straight away.
“Yep,” Sunset said, with a shrug. “But.. it’s not that big of a deal. I haven’t used that sort of magic in so long I’m sure that I’m quite out of practice. When I first came back here I kind of forgot how to levitate things or pick things up in my hooves for a good few minutes,” Sunset said with a nervous chuckle.
“It must be hard… living with a hand in each world.” Wallflower said, now glancing at the many shelves of books that stretched around them.
“Not really. While I love Equestria, and the few friends I have in it, it’s Everton that’s my home, you know?” Sunset said with a chuckle, before grinning. “Plus, I don't know what I’d do without you.”
That got a smile out of Wallflower at least, before she started to hesitantly move her blanket. “Well.. I guess we could take a look at my cutiemark then. Just to see what it is,” she said softly, pulling the blanket up to take a look at it. Sunset also peered down at it curiously. It was almost what Sunset expected for it to be for: or at least, a picture of something similar. A simple brown pot with a white tulip hanging out of it.
“That fits,” Sunset said with a small chuckle. “Not surprising at all that my wonderful girlfriend with a talent for gardening would earn a cutie mark for such, huh?”
“Yeah, suppose it does fit,” Wallflower said thoughtfully before lovering the blanket down a second later. “... So. How does one. Um. Walk as a pony?”
Sunset let out a small laugh at that, shifting her blanket to rest on her back as she got up. “Come on. I’ll show you.”
After Sunset had shown her the basics of walking with not as much tripping as Wallflower had expected from herself, and the basics of learning how to pick things up with her hooves, the two had moved on from the library spaces, albeit still with the blankets resting on their backs.
While Sunset seemed more at comfort with the whole idea of being naked… it was still such a foreign concept for Wallflower. Even with her fur, which seemed to tingle even more every time she focused on feeling how fur feels like (a weird concept altogether), it was more comfortable to be under something for the most part.
So when she found ‘Rarity’ and ‘Twilight’ together in the main room with two dresses, Wallflower had been more than relieved. Yes, it was a little weird seeing Sunset’s friends as ponies. Yes, it was even weirder for Twilight, who she knew to be a science geek that had nearly been as antisocial as her at one time to be a princess of friendship.
Everything was just a little crazy, and Wallflower wasn’t sure what to make of it stiil.
Even getting on the dresses that Rarity had made them was a struggle, though thankfully helped by the three unicorns around her. It was a beautiful yellow gown - and it almost looked like it had faux wings attached. Not in a garish way - or so Wallflower hoped, she had never been the best at fashion - but in a way that seemed to compliment the design.
Sunset’s own dress was a mix of turquoise and sea blues, matching her eyes and making her look like she had rose from the ocean herself. While it was a bit hard to know what to feel towards Sunset as a unicorn, Wallflower had to admit that it matched her girlfriend’s color scheme quite well.
“Now, you’ll both be off to have an early start to Canterlot, tonight, just after I finish this...” Rarity said, red glasses on her face as she marched around the pair, seemingly looking for any last-minute changes she could make. On top of the dresses, Rarity had also tied Sunset’s hair back into a bun style, and tied Wallflower’s into a ponytail of sorts - or whatever the Equestrian term for it was, Wallflower wasn’t entirely too sure.
“You’re not coming with us?” Sunset asked, looking over at Princess Twilight, who was at a crystalline desk that Wallflower could only imagine how pricey it must have been, a bunch of papers placed out upon it.
“Not yet. We’ll be headed there soon, but I need to take care of a few more things, and then me and the girls are going to be taking a carriage of our own up with a few others. Our party’s been growing larger and larger each year, and planning both the actual gala and me and my friend’s times there has been challenging. But doable also, naturally.”
“Makes sense,” Sunset said with a shrug, before frowning. “So what will me and Wallflower be doing before the gala officially starts?”
“Meeting with Princess Celestia privately beforehand.” Princess Twilight said off-handedly, as if that was news to be taken lightly.
Wallflower could only stare at her before looking at Sunset, a spike of anxiety quickly settling in. Yes, she wanted to meet with her girlfriend’s mentor figure - but privately? Before a big event like this?
Oh, this was not to be taken lightly at all.
And it seemed at least Sunset agreed with Wallflower’s assessment based of the subtle scowl on her face. “Twilight…”
“Sunset, she asked for it. And I know you wish to meet with her too. Plus it works out perfectly scheduling wise!” Twilight said, beaming at both Sunset and Wallflower as if not noticing the expressions on their faces at all.
“Yeah… I guess it should be done sooner than later.” Sunset sighed, causing Wallflower to cast a glance at her. For a moment, Wallflower opened her mouth to ask another question before closing it. Maybe she’d ask when they are in the carriage alone. Not now.
“And… done!” Rarity’s voice rang out, before she straightened up, her glasses lifting off her face with a swish of magic. “Now you dears better be off - your carriage is awaiting outside.”
“Right now?” Wallflower said, glancing at the door - and wishing there was some kind of clock in the room for her to tell what time it was.
“Yes, yes, right now. Come along and follow me to the entrance.” Rarity said, already trotting off outside the main room.
Glancing at Sunset for confirmation, who made a shrugging gesture in response, the two of them followed the other unicorn out the doorway, and through the main hallway. Wallflower’s eyes darted around, taking in every detail. Sunset had told her that while this was a castle in the town of Ponyville, it was the smaller of the two castles of Equestria.
Wallflower couldn’t help but think that if this castle was small however, then the castle in Canterlot must have been huge. This one already made her feel small enough - hopefully the gardens would balance out the unease caused by the castle though.
Soon, the trio got to the front door of the castle, which Rarity deftly opened with her magic. “And here we are! Your carriage is just down the steps, being pulled by two gentlecolts.”
Pulled? Wallflower looked outside to see a silver carriage being - yes, pulled by other ponies. What a strange concept. While Sunset knew that technology was limited - the idea that transportation was pulled by other ponies made it a bit weird. It made sense in her world - for horses to pull people. But ponies pulling other ponies…
“I know, it’s probably a bit hard to grasp,” Sunset chuckled at Wallflower’s perplexed expression. “But that’s just how it’s done over here. Think of it like an uber.”
“Huh…” Wallflower said, simply staring at the carriage for a few moments more - before following Sunset’s lead as she took the first steps down the flight of stairs.
“I’ll see you two at the Gala later this evening!” Rarity called from behind them, before Wallflower heard the door shut behind them.
As Sunset reached the bottom of the stairs, Wallflower watched as her girlfriend’s horn flared to life with a burst of red magic that opened the carriage’s door. “Ladies first,” Sunset said with a grin at Wallflower, causing the latter to feel a bit of heat underneath her green fur.
“R-Right.” Very carefully, Wallflower climbed up the steps of the carriage before getting inside, and carefully taking a seat. There was enough room for both Wallflower and Sunset to comfortably sit inside without.
After Sunset got in, and alerted the ponies at the front that they were ready to go, the carriage with a small jerk took off, starting to roll onwards. Wallflower felt her eyes drawn to one of the carriage’s windows, using a hoof to jiggle with the controls awkwardly for a moment before lowering one of them to see out. While the castle had been the castle - this was going to be her first real look at her girlfriend’s homeland. And as nervous as she was, she wanted to see all of it.
“Excited?” Sunset asked, making Wallflower glance back at the amused smile on Sunset’s face.
“A bit, actually.” Wallflower admitted, looking back at the window with a smile on her face. Not that she was uncomfortable with Rarity and Princess Twilight or the castle - well, she had been, in her own way - but being alone with Sunset in the carriage and being able to look out at the world from a bit of a distance was a welcoming sort of change.
But that didn’t distract her from the question that she had wanted to ask from before. “Do… Do you think Princess Celestia will like me?” Wallflower asked carefully, not yet moving her gaze to see how Sunset reacted.
She did hear her girlfriend shift in her seat, making the cushions beneath her squeak for a moment before she replied though. “Celestia… she has a hard time opening up to ponies a lot of the times. So she may seem distant. But I know she’d love you.”
When Wallflower looked away from the window once more at Sunset, and saw the brilliant and hopeful gaze on her girlfriend’s face, she smiled in kind despite the anxiety still plaguing her. “I hope so.”
Sunset loved sunsets. It may have been obvious why, with it being in her name and all. But it was more of how Celestia crafted it. It would seem that the sun going down would be the time least paid attention to the sun, for it was when night awoke in the stars. But the way the sky turned orange before dipping into more violet and purple tones as stars awakened in the night - stars that, as Sunset noted to herself, seemed more bright than any starry night in Equestria she had seen before - and definitely any night from the human world.
She was glad that Wallflower seemed to agree. Her girlfriend had seemed to be taken with the sights as they went.
“What’s that cloudmass over there?” Wallflower asked, once they had gotten high-enough up the mountain to see most of the Equestrian landscape.
“Cloudsdale.”
“Like… a clydesdale horse?” Wallflower said, tilting her head.
“I guess?” Sunset let out a small laugh. “Not sure. But that’s a city actually that pegasi live in. Pegasi can walk on clouds without falling through.”
“They live on clouds?”
“Yep. And even unicorns and other ponies can travel there with a spell that lets another pony walk on clouds. We could try that some other time.”
Sunset watched Wallflower seem to pale at the suggestion, and possibly look a little sick. “Maybe in the far far future…” she mumbled slightly.
“Hey, I’m not going to make you do anything you’re not comfortable with.” Sunset said with a grin, which caused Wallflower to throw her a grateful glance.
“Thanks.”
“Of course.”
With a sudden jolt, the carriage came to a halt, causing Sunset to sit up blinking. “Oh! I’m guessing we’re here!” Quickly getting up from her seat, Sunset opened the door with her magic, before walking out - and stopping. Indeed, there they were.
Canterlot Castle. Home.
Sunset breathed slightly, a smile on her face before she turned to Wallflower. She was looking at the castle, a mix anxiousness and awe clear on her face.
“Welcome to my original home,” Sunset said warmly, before grinning.
After alerting the guards of their arrival, the two mares were being led through the castle hallways past the main line to the Gala’s entrance. Many stained windows and relics were what they passed, which Wallflower looked at carefully as they passed each one.
Every so often, Sunset gave a comment about one that she knew about, but for the most part… she was just happy. Her tail swished behind her slightly, and despite the trepidation she had felt earlier for spending time with Celestia, it had long been buried underneath, replaced by something she had denied for a while.
She wanted to spend time with Celestia very badly.
It was expected. With her real ‘family’ being how it was, Celestia had been the figure in her life that she had looked up to the most before her fall. And to be able to spend time with Celestia for a bit and have a beautiful night in Equestria with her girlfriend was more than she could ever ask for.
Soon enough, they arrived outside Celestia’s chambers. Giving a reassuring smile at Wallflower as the guards gave a knock, soon the doors were opened with pale yellow magic.
“Come in,” Celestia’s voice bounded across the room, making Sunset stop for a moment, before looking at Wallflower - who for her part, looked terrified for a second. Giving a grin, she grabbed Wallflower’s foreleg, pulling her close.
“It’s okay,” she whispered reassuringly, before starting her way into the grand chambers, with Wallflower following behind a second later hesitatingly.
Celestia was at her throne, sitting down royally - though not stocially as she might do to a stranger. And it was definitely not the look she had given to Sunset when she had first remet her. Instead, Celestia’s gaze held the warmth of the sun, as she looked at Sunset and Wallflower - the warmth that Sunset remember quite clearly from her fillyhood. Soon enough, Celestia rose from the throne, coming forward towards the two mares in the center of the room.
“Sunset Shimmer. It’s good to see you back again. And this is…?” Celestia said, giving a small smile as she turned her pink gaze from Sunset over to Wallflower, who made a small peeping noise in response.
“My girlfriend- I mean, marefriend, Wallflower Blush.” Sunset Shimmer said, feeling a bit embarrassed at the terminology. “She’s someone I met while in the other world.”
“Twilight did say you had a plus-one tonight, but didn’t elaborate. It’s nice to meet you Wallflower Blush.”
“I-It’s nice to meet you two, Miss Ce- I mean, your majesty!” Wallflower said, her voice a bit squeaky as she spoke. Sunset let out a small laugh, enjoying and revelign just slightly in this - mostly because of how cute Wallflower was being at the time.
A spark of laughter seemed to have made its way into Celestia’s gaze as well. “There’s no need to call me ‘your majesty.’ After all, you are not one of my citizens. So just ‘Celestia’ is fine.”
Wallflower just let out another squeak at that, turning her head away slightly, looking embarrassed.
“But… if you don’t mind, may I have a moment with my former student alone?”
Wallflower seemed to freeze for a moment, but gave a sharp nod. Sunset also frowned, but for a different reason. What could Celestia want to speak about to her alone? After giving a reassuring smile to Wallflower, her girlfriend quickly made her way to the chamber doors again leaving.
“So… why did you want to speak to me alone?” Sunset said cautiously, looking at Celestia. What could have Celestia to say that she didn’t want to speak in front of your marefriend.
“Nothing much. I just wanted to spend some time with my former student alone before the night began. But…” There was always a but with Celestia, it seemed. “I did want to ask if you told Wallflower about your parents.”
“I told her they weren’t in the picture.” Sunset’s ears flattened against her head at the mention, eyes narrowing slightly as she looked at the floor. “And that’s as far as I want to tell Wallflower, to be honest. She doesn’t need to meet them. And they don’t deserve to meet her.”
“Of course,” Celestia said with a hum, dipping her head. “I wanted to know your stance on it before bringing it up front of Wallflower. They have expressed interest in meeting with you again.”
Immediately, Sunset thought of several things to tell them - none of them appropriate to relay to her teacher, but she quickly shook her head. “Tell them no thank you. I have no desire to them to be a part of my life, now or in the future. For me, the only family that matters to me are my friends and you.”
“I’m touched.” Celestia brought out a wing, resting it on Sunset’s back. “And… I support you fully.”
“Thank you,” Sunset murmured, feeling a bit of relief in those words. Knowing that she had her mentor’s backing in rejecting her parents made her feel a bit better.
“Sunset… you know that Twilight is leading the Gala for tonight, right?” Celestia asked softly, smiling down at her.
“Yeah, I know.”
“Well, because of that, she’ll be taking my usual job of greeting the guests who come into the Gala. And so I’ll have some free time to spend around.”
“Are you saying…?” Sunset breathed, eyes widening with a bit of hope.
“Of course I’d love to spend the night with you. And Wallflower of course.” Sunset said, beaming up at Celestia, raising a leg to hug her mentor tightly.
“Of course,” Celestia said, squeezing Sunset with her own foreleg.
It was going to be nice to be with some of the ponies she cared for most in the world beside her tonight.
Wallflower knows her heart shouldn’t have sunk when Celestia asked for a talk with Sunset. She knew she shouldn’t feel bad about it. She knew she should have let Sunset have that time for herself without feeling like it was hurting her.
But it was hurting her.
Being left out in the hallway alone while the two talked, in a castle she had no idea about - in a land she had no idea about - with no one she knew at all - well, by the time that Sunset had come back outside with Celestia, Wallflower’s thoughts had begun to race hard. And what was said next only made her heart hurt more.
Celestia wanting to spend time with Sunset most of the night should have been great. It should have been. She should have felt comfortable with the imposing ruler that was like her old principle.
But she wasn’t comfortable.
Everytime Wallflower craned her neck to look at Celestia - one of the rulers of this nation, former mentor of her girlfriend, and perhaps more, Wallflower could only think about one thing.
She wasn’t good enough for Sunset. That much was clear. If Wallflower had been good enough for Sunset, then she wouldn’t feel these spikes for Sunset wanting to spend time with Celestia. She wouldn’t feel bad about Sunset leaving her alone only for a bit. She wouldn’t want to whisk Sunset away to the gardens right away and avoid everybody else for the night.
But she did and she hated herself for it. However, Wallflower tried to make her thoughts not visible as she walked next to Sunset and Celestia down the hallway towards the main part of the gala. She smiled whenever Sunset looked at her - kept her ears pricked despite the instinct she was having to flatten them against her head.
These weren’t feelings that had never come up within their relationship before. It would be silly to pretend they were completely new. When Sunset had first proposed the idea of dating to Wallflower, Wallflower had brushed her off for very similar reasons. At that time, she didn’t believe after what she had done, that she deserved someone like Sunset. Someone who was putting in an effort to see her, to be friends with her, to hang out - and to make her feel like she was special. More than anyone else had done so before.
Sunset had helped assuage those feelings before, convincing Wallflower of her self-worth. That all she needed to give to the relationship was love and love back. A two-way support system. That’s what love and a relationship was supposed to be.
But now here she was, feeling like her own feelings outweighed Sunset’s once again. Wallflower had thought she was getting better about this. But maybe she wasn’t.
“Are you alright?” Wallflower blinked at Sunset’s words, realizing that she must have let her mask slip for a second and seeing her girlfriend’s worried expression on her face.
Immediately, Wallflower put another smile on her face as a front. “Yeah, I’m doing okay.”
“If you’re sure,” Sunset said, continuing to look a bit worried.
“I’m sure,” Wallflower said, putting false confidence into those words - which seemed to make Sunset believe her, because she soon turned to Celestia to speak up again. And yet Wallflower couldn’t help but tune out the conversation, as she felt another pinprick inside her. She just wanted Sunset to be happy. Even if she entirely wasn’t.
Even if the room they had reached was too bright, and the music a bit too loud. It was a jazzy tune, which wasn’t so bad, but it did make her want to hide away slightly. Not to mention, the number of ponies in the room, all talking to another. Not to mention the appearance of Celestia, despite her not leading the Gala, hadn’t gone unnoticed. Another little spike of anxiety ran through her as more ponies gathered close to them - seemingly unnoticed by Sunset for a moment,
It was too much. Despite wanting to keep calm, despite wanting to stay here and make it work - Wallflower felt a hitch in her breathing for a moment, as she closed her eyes, slowly moving from the table they were by, only hoping that Sunset hadn’t seen how she was yet. Trying to breathe, trying to calm herself down and yet failing badly.
“Wallflower?”
Wallflower opened her eyes, trying to blink back tears as she looked up, seeing not Sunset, but Rarity in front of her, looking both worried and surprised.
“Wallflower, darling, are you alright?” Rarity asked, reaching out a hoof. “Where’s Sunset?”
The pounding in her head wasn’t stopping despite the question- nor was her heart which seemed to be racing at a mile a minute, and Wallflower could only grit her teeth for one second before squeaking out a word. “Garden.”
Even in the spell of terror she was experiencing, she could feel a burst of gratefulness for the mare in front of her. No more questions were asked, as Rarity grabbed a hold of Wallflower’s and started directing her outside. That was good, because even though Wallflower now grass beneath her hooves, and could see the cool moonlight that lit up the gardens, the panic attack hadn’t subsided completely.
And to Rarity’s credit, she waited with Wallflower the whole time - saying nothing, but just being there for Wallflower. And right now, that was enough.
Soon enough, she felt it subsiding. She was still shaking slightly, but it wasn’t as bad. She was finally winding down, and sat in the grass next to Rarity, feeling her breaths come in more regular lengths now thankfully. She looked at Rarity, opening her mouth, and trying to find the words of thanks - but trying to formulate how appreciative she was of the other mare was fruitless. Rarity just gave a kind smile even though. Even as it was something she didn’t deserve.
“Wallflower?”
Oh no. She had noticed. Of course she did.
“Wallflower, are you okay?!” Sunset’s near panicked words came as she came in front of Wallflower, before looking at Rarity for an explanation.
“The poor dear had been experiencing a panic attack when I found her. She wanted to be outside so I led her out here where no other pony was.” Rarity said, her expression worried. “What happened back there?”
“I-I don’t know. I was just talking to Celestia and… I noticed Wallflower had slipped away. Wallflower-” Wallflower wanted to wilt on the spot right there, not answer any questions. “What happened?” Sunset asked, despite Wallflower’s internal wishes.
“I… I had a panic attack. It was too much. I’m sorry.” Wallflower whispered, closing her eyes and feeling like she wanted to evaporate right there.
“I’ll leave you two to it,” Rarity whispered, moving away from Wallflower as she reopened her eyes to see the other mare leave. She almost wanted to call for her to stay - but while she was grateful for what Rarity did, Wallflower had to explain what happened to Sunset alone for now.
“Wallflower… why didn’t you tell me?” Sunset moved closer. “I could have helped get you out of there, and done something.”
“I didn’t want you to worry.” Wallflower curled her legs in towards her, staring at the grass on the ground. “I… I got overwhelmed by everything going on. The ponies, being alone in a scary castle, being in a whole new world, and I know you wanted to spend time with Celestia, and that she’s important to you like family, and that is important, but…” Wallflower grit her teeth slightly.
“It was too much for my first trip here with you. And I don’t blame you for that, but…”
“No,” Sunset said, and Wallflower winced as she felt a foreleg loop around her. She didn’t deserve it. “It was too much. I should have known that… I’m so sorry that I put you through that.”
Wallflower blinked, feeling tears once again gathering in her eyes. “But it’s my fault. I shouldn’t be like this. It shouldn’t be too much!”
“It would be too much for anybody in your position. And I should have known that it was too much for you.” Sunset’s grip on her tightened, before she moved her head back and sighed. “Wallflower, we knew this is something we needed to work on - together. And that means I need to be able to help you out too. Hiding this stuff from me is only going to make it worse. I can’t help you if I don’t know.”
“I know…” Wallflower whispered, leaning into Sunset’s touch slightly, even if it was from a foreign body. “I know. And I’m sorry”
“We’re both sorry. How about that?” Sunset said softly, before sighing. “... I’m not sure if you want to continue this night at all. I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t. But if you want, we can spend the rest of tonight just out here, in the gardens. See the flowers and stuff. Or we could go straight home. Whatever you think.”
Wallflower was silent for a moment, thinking about it. After everything, she felt… tired. She knew everything wasn’t resolved. She knew things weren’t completely okay. But… she did want to see the gardens. And perhaps they could turn a bad night into a not so horrible night.
“I think I’d like to see the gardens…” Wallflower said, softly.
“Then let’s do that.” Sunset murmured, giving Wallflower one more big squeeze before getting up.
After a moment of wiping at her face, Wallflower followed suit, and leaned on Sunset slightly.
Things were not okay. And it was going to take a while for things to be okay. But for this one night, they could enjoy their time left and have fun.
And for now, that was what mattered.
